Associated Press Business Writer Michelle Chapman
The Union of Hollywood video game performers has reached tentative agreements with several video game companies that could end a nearly one-year strike related to the use of artificial intelligence.
Members of The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists were struck in July 2024 after negotiations with the gaming giant stopped artificial intelligence protection.
SAG-AFTRA said the unregulated use of AI has posed a “equal or even greater threat” to performers in the video game industry than film and television, as the ability to easily and cheaply create compelling digital replicas of performers’ voices is widely available.
Performers were worried that unchecked use of AI could provide game makers with a way to replace them. Train AI to recreate the voices of actors, or create digital replicas of portraits without consent.
“Patience and persistence, along with other important benefits, has led to a transaction that introduces the necessary AI guardrails to protect the livelihoods of performers in the AI era,” SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Areland said in a statement.
The union was negotiating with an industry negotiation group consisting of signatory video game companies, including the Activision and Electronic Arts divisions. These companies include Activision Productions Inc., Blanklight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc. and WB Games Inc.
SAG-AFTRA said the terms of the suspension of strike agreement are expected to be confirmed immediately with the company. Members will continue their strike until such an agreement is reached.
Interim contract transactions require approval by the National Committee and ratification by members.
The video game performer had previously received a strike in October 2016, but the interim deal reached September 2017, 11 months later. This strike helped ensure a bonus compensation structure for audio stars and performance capture artists.
Original issue: June 10th, 2025, 11:55am EDT
